The Greatest Hero-- Fool

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'¯
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit out or dance
-Lee Ann Womack, 'I Hope You Dance'

At first glance, it would seem as if the grave, the crypt, was empty. From the outside, it looked as if no one was in there. But someone was in there. It was sunset, the sun just sinking below the horizon, turning everything red as wine. And in the shadows of the crypt, someone stood, waiting to pay his respects.

Finally, the sun set, and William the Bloody, or 'Spike', stepped out of the shadows.

"Oh, Red," he mumbled to the grave, "Things have gone from bad to worse." He knelt down beside the coffin, resting his head on the cool stone that it was made of. He reached inside his leather duster and pulled out several flowers, laying them on the top of the coffin, "I wish you were here, Red. It's been so long… five years to the day. I couldn't save you. I tried so hard to get to you before it happened, but I wasn't fast enough. Wasn't good enough.

"But I'm getting better. I'm faster, stronger. It'll never happen again, because next time I'll get there with time to spare. Next time, it won't end like this." Spike chuckled darkly, "Not that I'll ever get the chance. No one but you could love me, Red. No one but you, never again. I'd end it here and now if I didn't know you'd be disappointed in me for giving up. But I figure, you've gone through worse, so… so I shouldn't complain."

Spike heard someone enter the crypt. He immediately knew it was Angel.

"You don't look like you're grieving, Spike," Angel said, standing beside him.

"I am not."

"Why?"

"Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act 1, scene 5, Lines 36-70."

"'Take the fool away'?" Angel asked the blond vampire, "I don't understand?"

"Willow is in a better place now Heaven, if there is such a thing," Spike explained, "If a mourn her, that makes me the fool."

Angel nodded in understanding, before getting up and giving Spike some more time to be there, in the crypt, where his love was buried.

If he had stayed, he would have heard Spike's last proclamation before Spike left. He also would have seen the play script sitting among the flowers.

"You really are a hero, Red. The greatest of them all."